Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139838626691253/episodes/822139839595515505
Lately, I feel like Hoshikawa’s been coming to our class during lunch break more often.
Ever since that day when that bastard Aiba made me eat lunch with Hoshikawa’s girl group, she’s been coming to our class about every two or three days.
And when she does come, she usually eats with my group.
Of course, I’m not the one inviting her.
It’s usually Aiba who calls out to Hoshikawa, and for some reason, Hoshikawa always eagerly joins Aiba’s invitation.
I’d assumed that tactless Aiba was just disliked by Hoshikawa, but maybe they actually get along surprisingly well?
“Hey, hey, looks like the day my name hits the weekly magazines might be coming soon, buddy.”
“Even if I end up in showbiz, I’ll still be friends with you, right?”
“At first, they’ll feature me as Hoshikawa’s boyfriend. But then, as I get invited onto shows, my gag sense will get noticed by TV viewers, and I’ll gradually become popular as a funny, good-looking high school talent…”
With things going like that, Aiba was getting more and more cocky by the day.
Apparently, in his mind, it was already a foregone conclusion that Hoshikawa and he would become lovers.
He mentioned going to the convenience store where Aoi-chan works, but has he forgotten about her?
Flighty? Light? What even is he?
Faced with a best friend whose delusions were growing beyond control, I had no words to offer him.
“Ah, Hoshikawa-san!! Over here, over here!!”
Lunchtime.
Continuing from yesterday, Hoshikawa came to our classroom again during lunch break today.
Aiba spotted her immediately and dashed over to Hoshikawa as if she’d been waiting for this moment.
“I saved you seats!!”
“Thanks, Aiba-kun!!”
As if it were the most natural thing, Hoshikawa and her group came over to us.
Aiba had already secured several desks, pushed them together, and prepared seats for Hoshikawa and her friends.
Lately, because Hoshikawa often comes to eat lunch in our class, a lot of students have started gathering here.
Boys who seemed like Hoshikawa fans, regardless of grade, were eating lunch in the classroom.
So lately, by lunchtime, almost all the seats were taken.
This meant the only seats available for Hoshikawa and her group were the ones Aiba had secured for our group, so naturally, they ended up joining us.
“I’ll sit here.”
“Oh, okay.”
Hoshikawa sat next to me as usual.
Across from us, Aiba naturally takes his spot.
The remaining seats are filled by the girls from Hoshikawa’s group, and lunch begins.
“…Why do you come to this class?”
Incidentally, ever since Hoshikawa started eating lunch in our class, Nanase has been in a constant foul mood.
She manages to keep a smile on the surface, but occasionally glares at Hoshikawa.
For Nanase, lunch was something she wanted to eat alone with me, so Hoshikawa’s group and Aiba’s presence were probably nothing but a nuisance.
Personally, I didn’t really care either way.
Whether it was just Nanase and me alone or the others were there, I didn’t think it made much difference.
“Wow, Nanase-san’s lunch box is super fancy again today!”
“…”
“Nanase-san. Do you make this every morning?”
“…Yeah.”
“Really! Isn’t that hard?”
“…Not really. It’s for Kurose-kun’s sake.”
“Oh, I see. Kurose-kun, you’re so loved. You~~…”
Hoshikawa nudged me.
“Hahaha. Yeah, I guess~”
Seeing Nanase’s expression cloud over more and more, I forced a laugh to cover up.
“…Hoshikawa-san. Can I ask you something?”
“Hm? What is it?”
Nanase sat down and looked at Hoshikawa as she spoke.
“Hoshikawa-san and Kurose-kun… you two are really close, aren’t you? Why…?”
“Huh…?”
“…!”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, we exchange glances.
“The other day, when I got the concert tickets… Kurose-kun said it was thanks for helping Hoshikawa-san… What did you help with…?”
“Um, well…”
Nanase stares intently at us, trying to figure something out.
This is bad.
Come to think of it, she did mention that.
Back then, I dodged the question without giving specifics, but Nanase apparently remembered it clearly.
Hoshikawa gave me the concert tickets because I saved her from a stalker, but obviously I couldn’t reveal that.
I searched for a way to smoothly get out of this, but nothing came to mind. I looked at Hoshikawa for help.
Hoshikawa said without changing her expression at all.
“Ah, about that…! Well, you see, when I was asked by the teacher to carry teaching materials to the chemistry prep room, Kurose-kun helped me. It was too heavy for me to carry alone…”
“Ah, yeah, yeah. That’s right! That happened too…!”
I jumped on Hoshikawa’s brilliant assist.
But Nanase’s skeptical expression hadn’t faded.
“That’s… all?”
“Yeah, that’s all.”
“…!”
Nanase stared intently at Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa kept her smile steady.
“…Oh, I see.”
Nanase’s expression relaxed as if relieved.
It seemed we’d managed to get through it smoothly.
When I looked at Hoshikawa, she winked at me.
I nodded at Hoshikawa.
“But more importantly, Nanase-san…! Next time, teach me how to make bento! I want to be able to make fancy homemade bento like you do!”
“Eh… I, I’m not really… good enough to teach others…”
“No way! Your cooking is seriously amazing! Please teach me!! Whenever you have time.”
“…Yeah, sure. Next time, then…”
Hoshikawa skillfully changed the subject, and the air that had threatened to turn awkward for a moment returned to normal.
I breathed a sigh of relief as Nanase and Hoshikawa chatted casually.
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !